Roland: Reluctant Paladin

by N. C. Reed

  “Should be able to find HAM equipment at a Radio Shack, if there are any of them left intact,” Jesse offered. Thomas looked at him, and blinked.

  “What did you say?”

  “Radio Shack,” Jesse said again, cautiously. “They sold HAM stuff. Should be some of it left, maybe.”

  “Son, of, a, . . .I never even thought about that,” Thomas leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been sitting here like a good little soldier, using what Uncle Sam provided for us, and never even thought about looking for civilian equipment. Some officer I am, huh.”

  “You’ve had a lot on your plate, sir,” Roland pointed out. “And I hadn’t thought of it, either. Good one, Jesse. If I had done that, I might know more about what we could expect out there.”

  “We can see about grabbing something on the way out,” Jesse shrugged. “If it was just us, I’d say just roll the dice. Be like an adventure, you know? But with the kids, we really need to know what we’re getting into. Or heading toward, at the least.”

  “I’ll put Deena on it,” Roland nodded. “If there’s any place like that on our path, she’ll sniff it out. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

  -

  “There are three of the Radio Shack stores along or within a few blocks of our route out of Nashville,” Deena told him later that evening. “Entirely possible that one or more of them are reasonably intact, they’re so far outside the city proper. We may can find what we need in one of them.”

  “Thanks Deena,” Roland smiled. “You’re a godsend. Always finding stuff for us. Don’t know what we’d do without you.” The teenager blushed prettily at that, looking at her notebook to hide her face.

  “All right everyone, are we set to go tomorrow?” he asked the assembled group.

  “I do not understand why we cannot remain here,” Maria said again. She was angry that they weren’t allowed to stay in the relative safety of the Armory grounds.

  “Because they don’t have the resources, Maria,” Jesse answered for him this time. “They used a whole lot of their fresh water to allow us to bathe the children, and then clean up ourselves. The only way for them to replenish that is draw it from the river, and filter it. It’s hard to do, dangerous to be out there doing it, and the filter isn’t an infinite resource. It will eventually break down or ruin the filter. Adding over thirty people on a permanent basis would just speed that up.”

  “And we’d have to leave then, anyway,” Roland nodded. “This way, we’re out and gone, and maybe have time to see about a garden wherever we end up.”

  “It is their responsibility to care for us,” Maria argued. “They are supposed to be...”

  “Maria, we can argue about this until we die of starvation, and the situation won’t have changed,” Roland cut her off, his voice taking on an edge. “If you want to ask them to let you stay, personally, go ahead. They might be able to take one person without any trouble. They simply don’t have the resources to take care of us all. And they’ve already been a major help to us in more ways than one.”

  Maria grew quiet at that, and Roland didn’t push the matter. He honestly hoped she would ask. They might just let her stay, after all. They needed her, but they could get by without her. And her attitude being gone would be a big plus, in his opinion.

  “All right, I want everyone getting a good night’s sleep,” Roland continued after a moment. “The civilians here have offered to look after the children during the night, so none of us have any duties tonight. Everyone get some sleep, and rest up. Tomorrow might be rough, and you can bet the days after won’t be any better.” He stood.

  “We’ll leave in the morning.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Roland was surprised to see Captain Thomas waiting beside his Humvee when he went to stow his gear. They still hadn’t worked out who was driving what, but they had just enough drivers for all four vehicles.

  “Morning, Captain,” Roland nodded, storing his sleeping gear. “You’re just in time. We’re getting ready to depart.”

  “So, I see,” Thomas nodded. “I have something for you on that subject. I’m sending a fire-team with you on an MRAP. To lead the way and provide some road security. They can’t stay with you forever, but they can at least help you get to a place of safety.” He waved to four fully outfitted soldiers, who walked over to him.

  “This is Corporal Jenkins. Jenkins, this is Sergeant Stang. You’ll be under his command, until you start your return trip. These are troopers Willis, Vaughan, and Mackey.”

  “Nice to meet you fellas,” Roland nodded, and then shook hands with them. “Captain, I don’t know what to say. This is really a boon to us.”

  “I hate not being able to let you stay,” Thomas murmured, his voice full of self-loathing. “The least we can try to do is see you safely to a good spot. Jenkins and his team will stay with you until you’re established. And the MRAP should make short work of any roadblocks or ambushes. All of these men have seen action, and are among the best troops in the outfit.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Jenkins smiled. “We’ll get it done.”

  “I know you will,” Thomas smiled. “Load up and get ready to depart.” He watched them go,

  then turned back to Roland.

  “Any room left in that trailer of yours?”

  -

  “Wow,” Jesse breathed as he looked at Captain Thomas’ ‘care package’. Three cases of MREs, and field surgeon kit with field medicine guide, an ample first aid kit including anti-biotics, and even morphine. A dozen M-4's, five cases of ammo and mags, a SAW with three full mags, and three LAW tubes.

  “That about says it all,” Roland nodded, eyeing the case of frags and the other of smoke grenades.

  “We’ll have to dump a lot of stuff if we decide to leave here,” Thomas shrugged. “I figured better for you to have it than for it to be blown up.” There were also a dozen 92F’s, with extra mags, and three cases of ammo. And a dozen complete sets of field gear. There’s also a goodie box. If you find yourself in a jam, open it. Might help.”

  “We’ve got plenty of stuff, and nothing like enough people that we’ll ever use it all. I figured you could make use of it, down the road,” Thomas shrugged. “Good luck, fellas.” They shook hands.

  “Well, you better mount up,” Thomas ‘ordered’. “I suspect it’s going to be a long day.”

  -

  The little convoy left the grounds slowly, everyone getting the feel for their vehicles. Ralph was driving the bus, while James and Jesse each drove a truck. Roland brought up the rear with the Hummer, while Jenkins and his team led the way in the MRAP.

  For the first time in two months, Roland felt hopeful, if not downright optimistic. They were much better off than they had been a week ago.

  They just might make it.

  -

  Their first stop on the ‘Radio Shack Tour’ had produced handsomely. Roland had secured three two-meter band hand-held radios, a wider band base station, with coax and antenna. Jenkins had secured similar equipment for Thomas. Among the most wonderful things Roland had found were a pair roll-up solar chargers for small electronics, such as the radios. He packed them carefully before they got back on the road.

  Roland had instructed Jenkins to head south. Ideally, he would take I-65 if it wasn’t blocked. He hadn’t had the chance to see much in the last two months, and neither Jenkins nor any of his troops had been so far south. It was a gamble, but these days all life was.

  “Looks okay from here, Sarge,” Jenkins radioed. “We’re on the ramp, and while it’s not clear, it’s not jammed, either. Want to take it?”

  “Can your vehicle push the odd stalled car or truck out of our way, Corporal? Roland asked.

  “Passenger vehicles, sure,” Jenkins replied. “Something bigger, probably not. The Deuce might, I don’t know.”

  “We won’t be trying anything that might damage any of our vehicles,” Roland instructed. “Including yours. Pick us a path, and we’ll try it.”

  “Rog
er that,” Jenkins called back. “Moving.”

  The little convoy followed dutifully, vehicles falling into line. Jesse’s truck was second in line, then the bus, then James’ truck, and finally Roland. Jesse stayed back about five car lengths from the MRAP. In an ambush, the MRAP could more than take care of itself. The truck was just a standard truck.

  They traveled slowly but steadily, and made excellent time as far as Roland was concerned. The MRAP carried enough fuel to make a round trip of about three hundred fifty miles. The other vehicles were topped off, and Roland had managed to scrounge enough cans to add twenty-five gallons for each vehicle extra. Hopefully they wouldn’t need it, and could save it for the Hummer and Jesse’s truck, both of which might be useful even after they were settled somewhere.

  They had covered almost forty miles when Jenkins radioed Roland.

  “Looks like a roadblock ahead, Sarge,” the trooper called. “Too organized to have been a wreck, or just abandoned vehicles. I can’t see any activity, but...”

  “But in a good ambush, you wouldn’t,” Roland finished for him. “Are there any vehicles sitting in line along the road?” he asked.

  “Yeah, now that you mention it,” Jenkins replied. “Victims, maybe?”

  “Probably,” Roland sighed. “Recommendations?”

  “Well, it’s three miles back to the nearest exit, which is. . .the 412. We can backtrack, and…stand by.” Roland waited while Jenkins attended to whatever it was.

  “Sarge, Trooper Mackey recommends backtracking to the 431, and then heading East to a place called Bethesda. There’s a natural and recreation area there, and a small primary school that might be available for shelter. At the least, there’s a place for the children to get some outdoor time, and a good place to make camp tonight. Assuming there’s no more problems with the 431 than we’ve seen along 65, it would take about three hours from our present location, roughly.”

  Roland considered that. A recreation area? Primary school?

  “Does Mackey know if there’s a well there?” There was a pause.

  “He believes so. He attended school there himself, Sarge. Building is for about two hundred students or so. Should be plenty of room if it’s not in use.”

  “Let’s try it, Corporal,” Roland ordered finally. “If there’s a chance we can inhabit the place, and that there’s water there, it sounds like a plan to me.”

  “Roger that, Sarge. We’ll be heading back. Recommend that the rest of you re-form now, and we’ll pick you up on the way back.”

  “You copy that, Jesse?” Roland asked.

  “Affirm. Turning now.”

  “James, Ralph, you two copy?”

  “Yes, Mister Roland,” Ralph replied.

  “Copy,” James answered, keeping his transmission short. Roland smiled in spite of the problems. James was coming along fine, he decided.

  “All right then. I’ll turn around here, and hold position. Re-form to my front. When Jenkins gets back, we’ll head out in order, and try it again.”

  The MRAP made its way back, and stopped next to Roland’s Hummer long enough for Vaughan to dismount carrying a SAW. He got in beside Roland as the MRAP carried on up the highway.

  “What’s up?” Roland asked, as the trooper made room to access the top hatch.

  “Corporal Jenkins decided someone should be with you, since whoever set up that road block might pursue. You have to drive, so I’m your shooter,” he grinned. “I can probably convince ‘em to leave us be, was that to happen.”

  “Probably,” Roland grinned. “Good idea. And thanks.”

  “No problem,” Vaughan smiled. “It’s a good thing you’re doin’. We’re glad to help.”

  -

  The trip took almost five hours, since the roads weren’t completely clear. Roland was amazed they hadn’t met any resistance. They hadn’t seen a single person, either. Of course, this did look like a military convoy, and with all the stories about how rogue elements would act in a post economic collapse, most people would want to go undetected.

  There were bodies, though. They had become accustomed to seeing dead bodies, though. While not packed like cord-wood, the sight wasn’t at all uncommon. People dead from violence, from dirty water, from starvation.

  From hopelessness.

  “We’re here, Sarge,” Jenkins called suddenly. “Let us check things out, and we’ll get right back to you.”

  “Copy that,” Roland replied. “Everyone hold position, and be alert.”

  “We always need more ‘lerts,” Jesse replied, laughing.

  “Smart ass,” Roland muttered with a grin, while Vaughan laughed outright.

  “You know you’re crazy, right?” Vaughan asked, once his laughter had subsided. “I mean, trekking around all over with a load of children and two adults. What can possibly go wrong?”

  “Ain’t got a lot o' choice,” Roland shrugged. “I can’t just leave ‘em.”

  “Be surprised at how many would do just that,” Vaughan replied.

  “Yeah, well, I can’t,” Roland told him.

  “No, I don’t imagine you could,” Vaughan’s voice was low, almost admiring. “Still, you got to admit, it’s a little crazy.”

  “I do admit it,” Roland chuckled darkly. “I am the last person who needs to be in charge of a group of little kids, I assure you.”

  “Seems like you done okay, so far,” Vaughan shrugged.

  “Place is clear, Sarge,” Jenkins called. “Come on in. We’ve checked the building, and it’s clear. Undamaged. And they have water from somewhere,” he added.

  “You heard the man,” Roland radioed the group. “Jesse, lead off.”

  Five minutes later, they were sitting in front of their new home.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  This place is pretty good for what we need. We found the well, and the greatest thing was that it runs on a solar pump. I guess the electrical demand on a pump for so many kids was pretty costly, so they installed a solar pump. That’s luck all out of proportion compared to what we’re used to.

  The children are still quiet and huddled together. They’ve seen so much, endured so much in the last little while I think they’ve developed a pack mentality. They don’t feel safe if they’re not all together. I wish I could find everyone responsible for what these kids have been through and destroy them root and branch.

  Over a three or four-day period.

  I’ve got to stop thinking like that. I can’t let my anger get to me. There’s too much to do, and these kids deserve better than to see me mad all the time. Or at all.

  Jenkins and his team pitched right in, and with their help we unloaded everything and got it stored securely. The central office area is a pretty good set up, with a connecting hallway to the mess hall…er, cafeteria. We’ll let the kids bunk together in there for the time being. It’s large enough, and easy to secure. Jenkins and his team have set a watch schedule for tonight, allowing us all the chance to get some sleep.

  They’re really good guys.

  Maria is still mumbling about not being allowed to stay at the armory, but the more she inspects the school, the less she mutters. We’re much better off here, in my opinion, other than the fact that there’s so few people able to defend the place, or do manual labor.

  Tomorrow we’ll pick out a spot for our garden. Thankfully, there’s plenty of ground inside the fence for that. It’ll be easier to protect the food from critters. Four legged critters, anyway.

  We’ll see what happens with the two-legged kind.

  -

  They had a small mulching tiller they had taken from Maria’s father’s shop. Roland had complained about it at the time, but as he watched Mackey till the ground easily using the small machine, he was glad he’d lost that argument. It was ridiculous how much easier this was than using a rake and hoe.

  “I wanted to make sure you guys were off to a good start,” Jenkins had explained when Roland had emerged from the building to find the four soldiers already w
orking on the garden. “We’re sorry you couldn’t stay with us,” he added, shamefaced. “But I have to say, Sarge, you guys are better off than we are. Especially with the well.”

  “It’s a godsend, that’s for sure,” Roland nodded. All of the smaller children had drank greedily once they realized they weren’t rationed for the first time in recent memory. He was glad to see them be able to slake their thirst.

  “The Captain wanted us to scout around some, and report back on what we found while we were out here,” Jenkins continued. “I think he’s still thinking on the fact that we can’t stay where we are forever.”

  “Always welcome here,” Roland shrugged. “I’d say there’s enough room. Might get on each other’s nerves a little, but hell, we’d do that anyway.”

  “I hear ya,” Jenkins grinned. “Truth to tell, I wouldn’t mind being a part of a set up like this. I wonder how the locals will respond, though.”

  “That’s on my mind as well,” Roland nodded. “Just have to wait and see, I suppose. That’s all I know to do.”

  The work continued until almost dark, with a short stop for lunch. Under Maria’s supervision, they managed to plant almost two acres total in row crops, root crops, and berries. It was amazing what a few grown adults could accomplish in just one good day.

  Everyone was tired that evening. Terri and Deena had watched over the children, allowing them outside to play on the playground equipment for a time, before taking them back inside for nap time. Even the tweens were still weak from malnutrition, and rest was stressed by the medical staff at the armory. The two teens had then prepared a simple but filling meal for the workers.

  The cooking equipment in the kitchen ran off propane. Roland had checked the large tank in back, and found it about three quarters full. It would go a long way, but wouldn’t last forever. But for a week or so he’d let them prepare hearty meals from the stocks they had with them and what they had found still in the school. There had been a lot of number ten cans of veggies still in the kitchen. There had also been some very ripe meat in the cooler that no longer cooled. James and Ralph had volunteered to clean that out, and had taken the mess almost a mile from the school before dumping it.